Invisalign FAQ

Absolutely. Dr. Sanders have Invisalign patients that live across the world. In some cases, our doctors can evaluate the fit of aligners using photos or even via a webcam consultation. Our office is very conveniently located close to Miami International Airport and if you would like directions or accommodations, please contact us and it would be a pleasure to arrange your visit.

Dr. Derek Sanders are Certified Premier Preferred Invisalign Providers and Invisalign Teen Providers. They have treated hundreds of Invisalign cases with excellent results and we post a new orthodontic case each month in his orthodontic before and after photo gallery.

The typical treatment time is between 6 and 18 months. Although this is shorter than traditional braces, the time it will actually take depends on the amount of movement and type of movement needed to align your teeth. If your teeth are severely misaligned, traditional braces may be recommended.

Invisalign can treat any type of bite problem including open bites, deep bites, overbites, underbites, crossbites, crowding and spacing. Invisalign has an active research and development team and changes are constantly being made to their system. Invisalign treatment outcomes are becoming significantly more predictable since the introduction of new protocols and aligner material.

Absolutely. Invisalign has a product called Invisalign Teen and it’s used exclusively for teenagers. There are several features of Invisalign Teen that make it stand out from traditional Invisalign. On each aligner, there are compliance indicators that let Dr. Sanders know that the aligners are being worn for the appropriate amount of time. Additionally, if an aligner is lost, it can be replaced for no charge.

To stay on schedule with your treatment plan, you need to wear your aligners nearly all of the time for an average of 22 hours a day. The exception is when you eat and brush your teeth.

Not really, although you will feel pressure and a little discomfort for a day or two after each new aligner is first put on. This achy, tingly feeling is due to your teeth moving under pressure.

Gently brush them with your toothbrush and toothpaste when you brush your teeth after every meal. After brushing and rinsing your mouth and aligners, put your aligners back on.

You are supposed to remove your aligners before eating or chewing gum. Once they are removed, you can eat anything you want. As long as you remember to put your aligners back on after brushing your teeth, your treatment schedule will not be delayed. Remember to always put aligners in the retainer case when you are not wearing them. It is very easy to lose an aligner and replacement of a lost aligner may take additional time and cost money to replace.

There will be short period of adjustment with your aligners on. The more you talk, the quicker you will adjust and sound like normal. A period of getting used to something in your mouth would also occur if you wore traditional braces and/or any other oral appliance.

Cigarette smoke discolors aligners and people may be able to notice that something is on your teeth. It is best not to smoke with aligners on and we would recommend that you brush your teeth after smoking before putting on your aligners.

You will see Dr. Sanders or Dr. Cabrera for regular office visits every 8-10 weeks. Our doctors will evaluate your progress every visit and you will receive the next set of new aligners that are designed specifically for your customized tooth movement.

Yes. These retainers will be like your aligner trays and fit exactly over your teeth to hold the last position attained by your treatment. You will need to wear your retainers every night, indefinitely to maintain the new position of your teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, you may wear through your retainers and need replacement. Call us if you suspect your retainers have lost their ability to hold your teeth in the position attained by your Invisalign orthodontic treatment.

Yes. We can fabricate a custom mouth guard for you that covers your aligners. To keep your treatment moving at a steady rate, Dr. D and Dr. G recommend wearing aligners 22 hours a day or more and protecting them with a mouth guard when you play sports.